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Preliminary study results show lower-volume technologies cover more acres and deliver all the benefits of Headline® fungicide

BASF shared early results from its continued evaluation of application technology as low as one gallon per acre (GPA) for Headline® fungicide with attendees at the National Agricultural Aviation Association’s (NAAA) national conference today.

Jim Gaffney, Ph.D., agricultural aviation market manager for BASF, and Amber Shirely, Ph.D., and Nick Fassler, technical marketing managers with BASF, presented the early research results, which showed that Headline applied using as low as one GPA volumes provided yield and performance that was equal to that gained by using two GPA. The authors emphasized that Headline applications in less than two GPA water volumes in not an EPA-registered use, and such volumes should not be used for any crop.

In the tests, Headline applications were applied to corn, soybean and wheat. Evaluations of droplet size and distribution, coverage, disease control and grain yield of the tested crops were conducted.

“More studies will be required to determine the best application methodology for Headline, but we’re very encouraged with the results we’ve seen so far,” Dr. Gaffney said. A submission for this use also will be made to the EPA.

Small-scale testing studies were conducted across the United States comparing various application technologies to determine the effectiveness of Headline in carrier volumes as low as one GPA. Last year, BASF introduced two GPA carrier volume for Headline, which reduced the required volume at that time from five GPA.

“As the demand for aerial application services has risen, so has the need for greater application efficiency,” Dr. Gaffney said. “The goal of these studies is to find solutions that meet the growing demand of aerial services while improving efficiencies in time and fuel and decreasing equipment wear and tear. Low water volume application technologies may offer that solution.”

Based on initial results, good coverage was achieved as low as one GPA, with proper calibration and set up. Larger and less uniform droplet sizes were more likely at two GPA, but more work needs to be done to determine why differences were observed. Drift also was adequately controlled and equal to two GPA applications.

Yield measurements also showed positive results. Headline delivered similar yield benefits, regardless of application type or volume. In some locations, corn yield was up to 50 bu/A higher than the untreated check.

Early Study General Results for Low-Volume Application of Headline
All systems provided adequate coverage at one GPA provided proper calibration and system set up
Optimum coverage was dependent on uniform droplet size
Larger and less uniform droplet size was more likely at two GPA
Drift was adequately controlled at one GPA and equal to two
GPA applications

Early Study Yield Results for Low-Volume Application of Headline
In general, no significant difference among application technology types
or volume of application
Soybeans (Mississippi) – Headline provided a 10 bu/acre increase
Corn (Illinois) – Headline provided a 50 bu/acre increase

For more information about Headline and other BASF crop protection products, visit www.agproducts.basf.com.

With sales of €3,137 million in 2007, BASF’s Crop Protection division is a leader in crop protection and a strong partner to the farming industry providing well-established and innovative fungicides, insecticides and herbicides. Farmers use these products and services to improve crop yields and crop quality. Other uses include public health, structural/urban pest control, turf and ornamental plants, vegetation management, and forestry.
BASF aims to turn knowledge rapidly into market success. The vision of BASF’s Crop Protection division is to be the world’s leading innovator, optimizing agricultural production, improving nutrition, and thus enhancing the quality of life for a growing world population. Further information can be found on the web at www.agro.basf.com.
 
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BASF Corporation, headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, is the North American affiliate of BASF SE, Ludwigshafen, Germany. BASF has more than 15,000 employees in North America, and had sales of approximately $16.4 billion in 2007. For more information about BASF’s North American operations, or to sign up to receive news releases by e-mail, visit www.basf.com/usa

BASF is the world’s leading chemical company: The Chemical Company. Its portfolio ranges from oil and gas to chemicals, plastics, performance products, agricultural products and fine chemicals. As a reliable partner BASF helps its customers in virtually all industries to be more successful.
With its high-value products and intelligent solutions, BASF plays an important role in finding answers to global challenges such as climate protection, energy efficiency, nutrition and mobility. BASF has more than 95,000 employees and posted sales of almost €58 billion in 2007. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchanges in Frankfurt (BAS), London (BFA) and Zurich (AN). Further information on BASF is available on the Internet at www.basf.com

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